BLOG.LINDSAYANDCO-PHOTO.COM

A Silver Lining

2011-11-25T17:31:21Z

With the pregnancy and birth of a child, we expect unparalleled joy, endless love and that cozy, warm feeling of contentment that tells us everything is right with the world. What is not expected is the news that Brita Corradini received when she was 6 months pregnant with her second child. Her story will surely inspire you (you can read it here and here. And the birth of her beautiful baby girl is, as she says, exactly what she needed to face the next 6 months.

Welcome to the sweet and beautiful new addition to the Corradini family. And in the midst of the storm...her mother's silver lining.

...and here is proud big sis!

Congratulations Brita and Andrew on your beautiful family!

From My Perspective

2011-11-03T07:10:03Z

Details. That's what a wedding is. Planning and details. And when it's your own daughter getting married,
the details are the most important. I knew that I would not be able to photograph Kailyn and Jeremy's wedding
day - but I could not resist picking up my camera for some before the wedding shots. It's part of me. It's who
I am. I see the world from my camera. And this day...I loved what I saw.

Congratulations Kailyn and Jeremy!
XOXO

Kailyn & Jeremy - Gilroy Engagement

2011-05-22T22:06:54Z

Kailyn and Jeremy are getting married in August - only a few short months away! This is their second engagement shoot - the first was taken in So Cal but because Jeremy is from Gilroy, I thought it would
be fun to travel to his home town for a second engagement shoot.

Jeremy's grandfather owns a working farm and we stopped by to take advantage of the beautiful and
unique setting. The crates below were used for plums years ago and have the family name imprinted
on them.

Downtown Gilroy is a mix of old and new with the feel of a small, tight-knit town. It's not unusual to
see several people you know when you're out and about.

Gilroy is world renowned for its garlic crop and for the annual Gilroy Garlic Festival. These were
taken near the quaint and rustic festival grounds.

We ended the day at beautiful and expansive Gavilan College campus nestled amongst the hills and trees.

Congratulations Kailyn and Jeremy! Here's to new beginnings and a wonderful life together.

- Denise

Hannah

2011-04-17T16:59:00Z

"All around-
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found..."

Hannah is one of the sweetest girls I've had the pleasure of meeting. Her personality is so sincere and enthusiastic, making this shoot at Biola University a blast!

Something Hannah really embraces is her faith, enriching the lives around her with the joys of
being a steadfast Christ Follower.

This year Hannah is graduating from Biola University as a psychology major (so fun!). She plans to attend graduate school at the Fuller Theological Seminary in the fall, aspiring to have a future helping people.

Congratulations Hannah. and best wishes for what is sure to be a bright future!

-Denise

Kailyn & Jeremy So-Cal Engagement

2011-03-19T06:32:00Z

They knew each other for almost a year through mutual friends and from sharing classes in the Psychology department at Biola University. Smiles exchanged across the room - he couldn't help but notice the way she held her pen, and she made a point to linger after class so they could walk together. On a late night of studying, Jeremy asked Kailyn to meet him for coffee at the campus cafe. Their friendship quickly turned into a love story, and they both wondered why they hadn't started dating sooner.

The day before their engagement photo shoot, the weather report predicted rain--but it wasn't supposed to start until the late evening. With busy schedules, we decided to keep our appointment...but the rain came early and we found ourselves jumping over puddles and dodging rain drops and downpours.

Even still, Kailyn managed to look beautiful!!

We took advantage of the soft, lovely light and luckily, found some overhangs along the way to keep us dry.

Jeremy asked Kailyn to be his girlfriend on the shoreline near "1,000 Steps".

Nearly two years after their first date, he proposed to her after a romantic stroll on the beach.

Even though it was freezing cold (I didn't know the sand could make my feet numb!), Jeremy and Kailyn had fun...and Jeremy gave Kailyn's feet a break from the chilly sand.

It started to pour again, so we took cover in a cave.

But the sun eventually dipped below the clouds and we had a few minutes of beautiful, warm sunlight.

I'll end with this photo because it just warms my heart, the same way Kailyn and Jeremy do whenever they're together.

*Coming soon - Northern California photo shoot in Jeremy's hometown of Gilroy.

It's Great to be Eight!

2011-03-07T06:16:00Z

"Because time itself is like a spiral, something special happens on your birthday each
year: The same energy that God invested in you at birth is present once again."

Lauren celebrated her birthday a few months ago, so before the year flies by, her
parents wanted me to document how great it is to be eight years old.

This dear girl is sweet, fun, playful and extremely bright.

She has a great sense of humor, which comes in handy living with twin younger brothers.

Lauren is considerate, compassionate, kind and caring beyond her years...she thinks
about and is concerned for the well being of others.

She loves spending time with her dad as an Indian Princess, and has just as much fun
dressing up for "girl-time" with her mom.

Lauren, you are truly beautiful inside and out.

Liam's First Birthday Party

2010-12-22T20:44:00Z

I love birthdays - the celebration of life. I love the gathering of dear friends and family along with the planning and details of the special day.

Jamie hosted an amazing party for her one-year-old son, Liam. It was festive, fun and creative! From the invitations Jamie designed, to the decorations, food and fun, Liam definitely celebrated his first birthday in style.

One of my favorite parts of the day was the Photo Booth and Pin the Mustache on the Parent.

Liam wasn't crazy about the cake, but he played with the frosting and then enjoyed an ice cream cone.

He had some special moment with his family...

Happy First Birthday Liam!

-Denise

Wagging Tails and Good Friends

2010-12-22T09:15:00Z

Thank heaven for wagging tails - the curly, furry, crazy, twist-in-circles wagging of a happy dog. There's just nothing better.

When my long-time friend Cheryl asked me to photograph her family with their new dog Sophie, I was thrilled!

Of course there was a lot of tail wagging - but between her exuberant displays of affection, Sophie was a good sport...and she loved the attention and extra treats for being so cooperative.

I met Cheryl in high school and we became good friends. Over the years, I have been blessed to watch her beautiful family grow.

Miss Sophie - you are not only the epitome of cuteness...

...you are a furry bundle of happy-love!

-Denise

Mysterious Treasures

2010-11-20T04:13:00Z

Recently, I came across a vintage Argus camera with a black leatherette body and brown leather case – the same kind my father and grandfather used to take photographs of our family with. I was amazed at how heavy and sturdy it feels...no wonder it was nick-named “the Brick”. The Argus was a popular camera from the 1940’s - 1960’s because it was reasonably priced and took amazingly sharp and artistic, contrasty photographs. The camera has a 50mm 1:3.5 lens and a focal range of 3 feet to infinity. There is no built in exposure meter so the photographer had to use a hand held meter and then manually adjust the aperture and shutter speed...or use the f/16 rule and wing it. Can you imagine?

I wondered about the photographs this camera might have captured. On a whim, I decided to see if the camera had film in it…I was intrigued by the thought that there might be images waiting to be developed. I took the camera into the darkest room in the house and gently opened the back cover to feel inside the camera body. To my delight, there was a roll of film wound tight. I re-wound it back into the cartridge and set in it in a safe place until I could decide what to do with it. Of course, my first instinct was to find someone who could develop the film. Being able to recover a moment captured in time is alluring. I realize that there might be nothing there – it might have been a brand new roll of film, never shot – or because the film is 20-30 years old, it might not be realistic to expect any images to appear. But there is a curiosity that gnaws at me – that wants to see the possible images waiting to tell their story. And then the “do-right” side of me kicks in and reminds me that maybe this is private – maybe the images are where they are meant to be – safe inside the Kodacolor canister.

So for now, the canister – and its mystery – sits inside a cupboard – safe and cool. Waiting. After all, it has been a mystery for several decades...so what’s a little more time?

And as for my moral dilemma…I remain conflicted. Develop the film or let it be...what would you do?

-Denise

Senior - Class of 2011

2010-09-13T05:41:00Z

I know not what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.
- Author Unknown

I love high school seniors - it is such an exciting time in life - full of memories of what has been, and
anticipation and excitement for what is yet to come.

This was an especially fun photo shoot because I have known Timmy since birth. He is smart, witty and full
of life! And his blue eyes...yes...they really are that blue!

Beautiful Summer

2010-08-14T06:28:00Z

Then followed that beautiful season... Summer....
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape
Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood.

~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I hope you are enjoying your summer!
- Denise

Woody, Bullseye and Fruit Loops

2010-07-25T16:59:00Z

With an active 2-year old, sometimes you just need a little help from some friends...so we called on
Woody, Bullseye and some Fruit Loops!

Wyatt has a very serious and sensitive side...

...but when you say or do the right thing to tickle him, he LAUGHS!

I love Wyatt's hands - they are so expressive.

After the magic of Woody and Bullseye wore off, we tried Fruit Loops.

The funny thing is, he didn't want to eat them -- he just played with them.

Wyatt found a tree branch that looked like a bird. Sometimes the best toys aren't really toys at all.

This is my favorite shot from the day...serious but adorable.

I hope you are enjoying your summer!
- Denise

The Green Bucket

2010-07-14T04:05:00Z

This two-year old cutie has a twin brother...but on this day, we had him by himself.
As you can see, he loved the green bucket we brought to carry the toys in.

He also loves his cars, trucks and airplanes...

...and he delighted in having them all to himself.

The Hot Wheels were new for Luke and he worked carefully to line them up in a neat row along the railroad ties.

Thank you Luke for being such a good sport!

Have a great week,
- Denise

The Blessings of Freedom

2010-07-04T09:13:00Z

Growing up, the Fourth of July was my second favorite holiday next to Christmas. I loved driving by the fireworks stands – imagining what was new – hoping they still had my favorites from the year before. I loved laying in bed at night, listening for the sound of the smashed Piccolo Pete’s whistling away sometimes weeks ahead of time, reminding me of the sparkling celebration that I love so much.

I grew up in a small neighborhood where almost every house had kids close in age. On the morning of the Fourth, the neighbors set up long tables with red and white checkered tablecloths and faded beach chairs along the curbs for the annual Fourth of July block party. Meanwhile, my brother and sisters and I rummaged around our rooms for something patriotic to wear.

In the late afternoon, we headed down the street for a delicious potluck dinner. As I recall, there were amazing cooks and the presentation was Martha Stewart-esque. Several families brought ice cream makers and the dad’s turned the handles until the sweet cream turned to a frosty, icy delight. After dinner, the kids would play hide and seek or tag in the maze-like orange groves until dusk, while our parents socialized and kept an eye on the younger children.

Each family brought a box-full of fireworks, so the show was amazing, and bright, and sparkly, and long. After the smoke cleared, we helped clean up the street and then headed back home for our own mini Independence Day celebration - more fireworks - writing our names with sparklers - and lighting as many ground blooms at one time as possible, laughing hysterically as they danced and whirred and collided into a mass of blurry sparks.

I wish you a day full of warm memories, good food, bright and sparkly fireworks, and the blessings of freedom that we all get to share.

Happy Fourth of July! -Denise

Whoever Said Newborns Don't Smile...

2010-06-28T05:00:00Z

A new baby is like the beginning of all things - a hope - a dream of possibilities.

Thank you "C" family for allowing me to photograph your adorable little bundle… she is precious beyond words!

Have a great week!
Denise

The Lizard Bit Her Toe...

2010-06-23T03:58:00Z

...this was how three-year old Miss C. remembered our last visit to the park

Actually, looking back on the day, I can see how her version of what happened makes sense –
but the truth is, my daughter was startled by a lizard, and with sandaled feet, stubbed and hurt
her toe on a rock. I think next time we'll all wear "lizard-proof" shoes!

When asked her age, Miss C. will say, “I’m three now…but soon…I will be four...and then...five!

Her favorite movie is "Cars" and she loves talking about Lightning McQueen and Mater.

I simply adore her sweetness...

...inside and out!

Happy Tuesday!
Denise